Automatic wire lubricating device

ABSTRACT

An automatic wire lubricating device includes first and second components each having a body section of semi-annular configuration defining a portion of a continuous cylindrical interior reservoir formed by the body sections when they are fastened together into an annular body defining a central opening, a pipe fitting attached on an outer circumferential side of the body section of the first component in flow communication with the interior reservoir such that the pipe fitting can be coupled to a soap line coming from a pump, dispensing holes circumferentially spaced apart defined through the body sections providing flow communication from the interior reservoir to the central opening, and coupler pins formed on opposite ends of the body sections of the first and second components which fit together so as to make a tight seal of the interior reservoir when the first and second components are fastened together.

This application is a continuation (and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC 120) of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/991,418, filed Nov.15, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,973 which claims the benefit of thefiling date of provisional application Ser. No. 60/249,413, filed Nov.16, 2000. The disclosures of the prior applications are considered partof (and are incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of thisapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to devices for applying alubricant to an outer surface of insulated electrical wire or the likewhile pulling the same through a conduit, and, more particularly, isconcerned with an automatic wire lubricating device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In order to make it easier to pull insulated electrical wire through aconduit, it is an accepted practice to first lubricate the wire with asuitable lubricant, such as soap. A common way to accomplish this taskis to do so by hand. Currently electricians place liquid soap in theirhands and wipe it onto the wire.

The problem with this practice is that it can be a messy procedure anddifficult job to do. When applying liquid soap by hand there is atendency to spill the soap in a large area around where the wire isbeing fed into the conduit. Also, the liquid soap makes the hands slickwhich, in turn, makes it difficult to pull the wire off the reels andfeed them into the conduit. As a result, it frequently requires oneperson to apply the soap to the wire and another person who does nothandle the soap to pull the lubricated wire through the conduit. Thus,this accepted practice requires additional manpower to do the jobcorrectly.

Over the years various devices have been proposed for use in lubricatingwire. Representative examples of these devices are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,565,213 to Heller, U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,972 to Molstad, U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,046,225 and 4,063,617 to Shenk, U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,894 toBlack, U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,605 to Conti, U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,529 toJohansen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,059 to Jonnes et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,022,493 to Buckelew and U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,356 to Sells. While theprior art devices of the Molstad and Conti patents appear to constitutea step in the right direction for providing a wire lubricating device,neither seems to provide an optimum solution for the problem at hand.

Consequently, a need still exists for a wire lubricating device whichprovides a solution to the aforementioned problem in the prior artwithout introducing any new problems in place thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an automatic wire lubricating devicedesigned to satisfy the aforementioned need. The automatic wirelubricating device is a mechanical device which allows liquid soap to beautomatically and evenly applied over the wire without the liquid soapfirst touching the electrician's hands. The use of such device by allelectrical, data, communications and maintenance personnel who pull wirethrough conduits will provide for a smoother pulling of the wire andless chance of damaging the wire. The use of the mechanical device alsoreduces manpower requirements and thus labor costs by greatly reducingcleanup time, material costs and risk of damaging the wire.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an automaticlubricating wire device which comprises: (a) first and second componentseach having a body section of semi-cylindrical configuration defining aportion of a continuous cylindrical interior reservoir formed by thebody sections when fastened together; (b) means for detachably fasteningthe body sections together to releasably secure the body sections of thefirst and second components together in order to assemble the bodysections into an annular body having a cylindrical configuration anddefining a central opening; (c) a coupler on an outer circumferentialside of the body section of the first component connected in flowcommunication with the interior reservoir and adapted for attachment toa soap line coming from a pump; (d) means defined through the bodysections extending from the interior reservoir to the central openingfor providing flow communication from the interior reservoir to thecentral opening when the body sections are fastened together; and (e) anexternally threaded cylindrical nipple formed by one of the axiallydisplaced ends of the assembled body sections of the first and secondcomponents for attaching a bushing thereon to keep from scaring the wireor to facilitate the attachment of a rubber grommet for ensuring a “nomess” application of soap on the wire during a pull thereof through thecentral opening of the assembled body sections.

The present invention also is directed to an automatic wire lubricatingdevice which comprises: (a) first and second components each having abody section of semi-cylindrical configuration defining portion of acontinuous cylindrical interior reservoir formed by the body sectionswhen fastened together; (b) means for detachably fastening the bodysections together to releasably secure the body sections of the firstand second components together in order to assemble the body sectionsinto an annular body having a cylindrical configuration and defining acentral opening; (c) a coupler on an outer circumferential side of thebody section of the first component connected in flow communication withthe interior reservoir and adapted for attachment to a soap line comingfrom a pump; (d) means defined through the body sections extending fromthe interior reservoir to the central opening for providing flowcommunication from the interior reservoir to the central opening whenthe body sections are fastened together; and (e) tubular elements formedon opposite ends of the body sections of the first and second componentswhich fit together so as to make a tight seal of the interior reservoirwhen the first and second components are fastened together.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with thedrawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodimentof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to theattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an automatic wire lubricating device of thepresent invention shown in an assembled condition.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device as seen along line 2—2of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another side elevational view of the device as seen along line3—3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a first component of the devicerepresenting approximately one half of the device.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first component of the deviceas seen along line 5—5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is another side elevational view of the first component of thedevice as seen along line 5—5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second component of the devicerepresenting approximately the other half of the device.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the second component of the deviceas seen along line 8—8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is another side elevational view of the second component of thedevice as seen along line 9—9 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, there isillustrated an automatic wire lubricating device, generally designated10, of the present invention in assembled form. The device 10 basicallyincludes first and second components 12, 14, each forming a body section16, 18 of generally arcuate and more particularly of semi-cylindricalconfiguration, and detachable fastening means 20 at the opposite ends16A, 16B and 18A, 18B of the respective body sections 16, 18 forreleasably securing the first and second components 12, 14 together toprovide the device 10 in the assembled condition of FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring also to FIGS. 4 to 9, there is illustrated the first component12 by itself in FIGS. 4 to 6 and the second component 14 by itself inFIGS. 7 to 9. The first component 12 of the device 10 has a quickconnect member 22 which fits, such as by being screwed, into a pipefitting 24 (such as ⅜ inch in size) being attached, such as by beingwelded, onto an outer circumferential side 16C of the body section 16 ofthe first component 12. The quick connect member 22 can easily andquickly be attached to a soap line (not shown) coming from a pump (alsonot shown). The body sections 16, 18 of the respective first and secondcomponents 12, 14 each defines one half of a continuous cylindricalinterior reservoir 26 formed by the body sections 16, 18 of the firstand second components 12, 14 when they are fastened together which is inflow communication with the quick connect member 22 and pipe fitting 24on the first component 12. The body sections 16, 18 also have respectivedispensing or applicator holes 28, 30 defined through the interior wallsportions 16D, 18D thereof which provide flow communication between theinterior reservoir 26 and a central opening 32 formed through the device10 by the first and second components 12, 14 thereof when the latter arefastened together.

The first and second components 12, 14 additionally have attached to oneof the axially displaced sides of their body sections 16, 18 respectivehalves of an internally threaded cylindrical clamping flange 34 andformed at their respective angularly displaced ends 16A, 16B, and 18A,18B sleeves 36, 38 of the detachable fastening means 20 which are offsetso as to align axially with one another when the first and secondcomponents' 12, 14 are assembled together. The detachable fasteningmeans 20 also includes a pair of pins 40 which are inserted through thepairs of aligned sleeves 36, 38 to hold the two body sections 16, 18 ofthe first and second components 12, 14 together.

Further, coupler pins 42, 44 are formed at the angularly displacedopposite ends 16A, 16B and 18A, 18B of the body sections 16, 18 of thefirst and second components 12, 14 which have O-rings around them andfit together so as to make a tight seal of the interior reservoir 26when the first and second components 12, 14 are fastened together.

The device 10 is connected to and held in place on a threaded end of aconduit (not shown) by attaching the two halves of the internallythreaded cylindrical clamping flange 34 about the threaded end of theconduit as explained above by inserting the pins 40 into the alignedsleeves 36, 38. When a pump feeds liquid soap through the quick connectmember 22 into the interior reservoir 26, the liquid soap travels 360degrees through the interior reservoir 26 around the device 10 andsquirts out through the interior dispensing or applicator holes 28, 30onto the wire being pulled through the central opening 32 of the device10 into the threaded end of the conduit.

The first and second components 12, 14 additionally have attached to theother of the axially displaced sides of their body sections 16, 18respective halves of an externally threaded cylindrical nipple 46. Thenipple 46 allows the attachment of a bushing thereon to keep fromscaring the wire or the attachment of a rubber grommet for ensuring a“no mess” application of soap on the wire during a vertical pullthereof.

The actual physical size of the device 10 depends on the trade size ofthe conduit one is pulling wire through, resulting in a different sizedevice for each trade size of conduit. Also, it should be understoodthat the device 10 can be manufactured by various suitable conventionalmethods using various suitable conventional materials and having variousdifferent configurations.

In summary, the automatic wire lubricating device 10 is a double pinclamping device that clamps over all trade size conduits and has a smallmale adapter or quick connect 22 that connects to either a manual orelectrical pump for supplying liquid soap into the device 10 and has aplurality of interior holes 28, 30, such as four in number, from whichliquid soap is dispensed evenly and completely over the wire so as tolubricate the wire as it is pulled through the central opening 32 of thedevice 10. The advantages of the device 10 are: (1) mess freeapplication; (2) less cleanup; (3) less manpower required; (4) lessexpense; and (5) more consistent job of lubricating the wire beingpulled.

It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will beunderstood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its materialadvantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely preferred orexemplary embodiment thereof.

1. An automatic wire lubricating device, comprising: (a) two bodysections each having opposite ends and respective end faces on saidopposite ends, each of said body sections defining a portion of aninterior reservoir formed by said body sections when assembled togetherat said end faces; (b) a fastener to releasably fasten said bodysections together at said end faces to form an annular body having alongitudinal central axis, said fastener including (i) sleeves attachedat said opposite ends of each of said body sections and aligned axiallywith one another in pairs along opposite side axes which extendsubstantially parallel to said longitudinal central axis and liesubstantially in a common plane formed by said end faces when said bodysections are assembled into said annular body, and (ii) a pair of pinsinserted through one of said pairs of aligned sleeves along said one ofsaid opposite side axes for releasably securing said assembled bodysections together; (c) passages to provide flow communication from saidinterior reservoir to said central opening when said body sections arefastened together; and (d) threads formed by said assembled bodysections at one of said axially displaced ends to attach a member tofacilitate application of lubricant on wire being pulled through saidthreads and said central opening of said annular body.
 2. An automaticwire lubricating device, comprising: (a) two body sections each havingopposite ends and respective end faces on said opposite ends, each ofsaid body sections defining a portion of an interior reservoir formed bysaid body sections when assembled together at said end faces; (b) afastener to releasably fasten said body sections together at said endfaces to form an annular body having a longitudinal central axis, saidfastener including (i) sleeves attached at said opposite ends of each ofsaid body sections in offset relation to one another and extendingsubstantially equidistantly in opposite directions in relation to saidinterior reservoir, said sleeves at a respective one of said oppositeends of said body sections being aligned axially with one another inpairs along opposite side axes which extend substantially parallel tosaid longitudinal central axis and lie substantially in a common planeformed by said end faces when said body sections are assembled togetherinto said annular body, and (ii) a pair of pins each inserted throughone of said pairs of aligned sleeves along said one of said oppositeside axes for releasably securing said assembled body sections together;(c) passages to provide flow communication from said interior reservoirto said central opening when said body sections are fastened together;and (d) a seal located at said end faces and at opposite ends of halvesof said interior reservoir to make a tight seal of and providecommunication between said halves of said interior reservoir when saidfirst and second components are fastened together.
 3. An automatic wirelubricating device, comprising: (a) two body sections each havingopposite ends and respective end faces on said opposite ends, each ofsaid body sections defining a portion of an interior reservoir formed bysaid body sections when assembled together at said end faces; (b) afastener to releasably fasten said body sections together at said endfaces to form an annular body having a longitudinal central axis, saidfastener including (i) sleeves attached at said opposite ends of each ofsaid body sections in offset relation to one another and extendingsubstantially equidistantly in opposite direction relative to saidcontinuous cylindrical interior reservoir and partially projectingbeyond said flat end faces of said body sections such that said sleevesat a respective one of said opposite ends of said body sections arealigned axially with another in pairs along opposite side axes whichextend substantially parallel to said longitudinal central axis of saidannular body and lie substantially in a common plane formed by said flatend faces when said body sections of said first and second componentsare assembled together into said annular body, and (ii) a pair of pinseach inserted through and withdrawable from one of said pairs of axiallyaligned hollow sleeves along one of said oppose side axes for releasablysecuring said assembled body sections together into said annular bodyand for taking apart from one another said assembled body sections ofsaid annular body, said pins being inserted in the same one directionalong said respective parallel side axes through said pairs of alignedhollow sleeves for releasably securing said assembled body sectionstogether into said annular body and correspondingly said pins beingwithdrawable in a same other direction being the reverse of said sameone direction along said respective parallel side axes from said pairsof aligned hollow sleeves for taking said body sections apart from oneanother; (c) circumferentially spaced dispensing holes defined throughinterior walls portions of said body sections which provide flowcommunication between said interior reservoir and said central opening;(d) threads formed by said assembled body sections at one of saidaxially displaced ends to attach a member to facilitate application oflubricant on wire being pulled through said threads and said centralopening of said annular body; (e) threads formed by the other of theaxially displaced ends of said annular body to attach to a threaded endof a conduit through which the wire is to be pulled; and (g) hollowcoupler pins attached on said flat end faces and having O-rings disposedaround said hollow coupler pins so as to make a tight seal of saidinterior reservoir at said flat end faces of said body sections whensaid first and second components are fastened together.